How To Get Rid Of Malware On PC?

Updated on October 8, 2026, by Xcitium

In today’s threat landscape, there are millions of malware variants lurking on the Internet waiting to infect computer systems of unwary users.

Hackers use social engineering methods to attack and take over someone’s computer and then place a code that loads a virus, malware, spyware or some Trojan on their computer. Most security software prevents this but not all.

Once your computer gets infected with malware, it can do a lot of damage. From logging key-strokes and gaining access to your passwords to slowing down your computer, malware can cause severe damage to your computer and your data stored in it.

If you discover your computer is infected with malware, here are a couple of options to remove malware from your computer.

To get rid of malware on a PC, disconnect the computer from the internet if an active infection is suspected, stop entering sensitive information, update Windows Security or another trusted antivirus, run a full malware scan, quarantine detected threats, remove suspicious programs and browser extensions, update Windows, restart, and scan again.

How to Remove Malware From a PC in 10 Steps

Disconnect your PC from the internet if suspicious activity is ongoing.
Stop entering passwords or sensitive information.
Update Windows Security or your trusted antivirus.
Run a full malware scan.
Quarantine or remove detected malware.
Uninstall suspicious programs.
Remove suspicious browser extensions and reset affected browser settings.
Run an offline scan if malware persists.
Update Windows and your applications.
Restart your PC and run another scan.

After the PC is clean, secure any accounts that may have been exposed and continue monitoring the computer for signs of reinfection.

PC Malware Removal: Quick Guide

Step	Action	Purpose
1	Disconnect from network	Helps contain active threats
2	Stop sensitive activity	Reduces credential exposure
3	Update antivirus	Gets current threat detection
4	Run full scan	Searches broadly for malware
5	Quarantine threats	Isolates detected malware
6	Remove suspicious apps	Eliminates unwanted software
7	Clean browser	Removes extensions and hijackers
8	Run offline scan	Targets persistent malware
9	Update Windows	Patches security vulnerabilities
10	Restart and rescan	Checks whether malware remains

How To Get Rid Of Malware?

If malware has already compromised your computer, it could get on your network. Hackers can place a remote access Trojan on a system that can lay dormant until a right time comes. If you suspect a malware infection on your system, here are the steps to take, immediately.

Install or Update Your Antivirus

If you have an antivirus program installed on your computer, make sure it is up-to-date with the latest virus definitions. Antivirus vendors regularly update virus definitions as they encounter new viruses and Trojans in the wild and their labs. If your antivirus software is even a day out of date, you run the risk of infection.

If you don’t have an antivirus program, install good antivirus software such a Xcitium antivirus and run a full scan to check for malware.

Restore Your Computer To Old or the Safe

If you’ve got malware on your system, you can try System Restore options set in Windows OS. You can use it to reset the system to the old condition (without malware).

System Restore is a great option that can roll back program files, and system files to a previously safe state. If your system files have been corrupted or damaged by malware or any other means, you can use this option to fix your computer.

Tackling Malware in a Corporate Environment

For corporates, finding and removing malware is not easy. There may be multiple legacy endpoints/devices deployed at different locations. Due to that, conventional antivirus products are not a viable option.

Xcitium Advanced Endpoint Protection (AEP) is an ideal solution for such scenarios as it offers all-around protection across devices and OS platforms. With built-in containment engine and ‘Default Deny’ platform, Xcitium AEP provides complete protection against any malware threat including zero-day malware.

For more details about Xcitium Advanced Endpoint Protection, contact us at +1 888-256-2608.

How to Scan a PC for Malware With Windows Security

To check a Windows PC:

Open Windows Security.
Select Virus & threat protection.
Open Scan options.
Select Full scan.
Start the scan.
Allow the scan to complete.
Review detected threats.
Follow the recommended remediation actions.
Restart the PC if requested.
Scan again if suspicious activity continues.

Do not interrupt the scan simply because it takes longer than expected.

How to Remove Malware From Chrome on a PC

If Chrome is affected:

Remove extensions you do not recognize or trust.
Review notification permissions.
Check your default search engine.
Check your homepage.
Check startup pages.
Reset Chrome settings if unwanted changes persist.
Run a full PC malware scan.

If an extension or search-engine change repeatedly returns after you remove it, investigate the PC itself for malware or unwanted software.

How Do I Know If Malware Is Gone From My PC?

After malware removal, check that:

Follow-up scans are clean.
Antivirus remains enabled.
Pop-ups have stopped.
Browser redirects have stopped.
Unknown programs do not return.
Suspicious extensions do not reappear.
CPU and network activity have returned to normal.
Files are no longer changing unexpectedly.
Unknown processes do not return.

If suspicious behavior continues despite clean scans, investigate further.

How Do I Remove a Virus From My PC Without Antivirus?

Manual removal is not recommended as the primary method for most malware infections.

Malware can create:

Startup entries
Scheduled tasks
Services
Registry changes
Browser extensions
Hidden files
Additional malicious components

Removing only the visible program may leave other components behind.

Use trusted security scanning and remediation tools whenever possible.

Should You Change Passwords After Malware?

Yes, if credentials may have been exposed. However, change important passwords from a clean, trusted device rather than from the PC while it may still be infected.

Prioritize:

Primary email
Password manager
Banking accounts
Work accounts
Cloud storage
Social-media accounts

Also enable multi-factor authentication where available.

Review active account sessions and sign out unfamiliar devices.

What Should You Do After Removing Malware?

Once the PC appears clean:

Run another full scan.
Install Windows updates.
Update applications.
Review browser extensions.
Check startup applications.
Change potentially exposed passwords.
Enable multi-factor authentication.
Review important accounts for suspicious activity.
Maintain reliable backups.
Continue monitoring the PC.

How to Prevent Malware on Your PC

After cleaning the computer:

Keep Windows updated.
Keep real-time protection enabled.
Update browsers and applications.
Download software from trusted sources.
Avoid pirated or cracked software.
Be cautious with email attachments.
Verify unexpected links.
Ignore fake virus pop-ups.
Use strong, unique passwords.
Enable multi-factor authentication.
Maintain protected backups.
Remove unnecessary browser extensions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get rid of malware on a PC?

Update Windows Security or trusted antivirus, run a full scan, and quarantine or remove detected threats.

How do I completely remove malware from my PC?

Scan the PC, quarantine threats, remove suspicious software and extensions, update Windows, restart, and scan again.

Can Windows Security remove malware?

Yes. Microsoft Defender Antivirus can detect and remove many types of Windows malware.

Can I remove malware for free?

Yes. Windows includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus through Windows Security.

Should I use Safe Mode to remove malware?

Safe Mode can help when malicious software interferes with normal removal, but it is not necessary for every infection.

Can restarting a PC remove malware?

No. Persistent malware may automatically start again when Windows boots.

What if malware keeps coming back?

Run an offline scan and investigate persistence. A reset or clean Windows reinstall may be necessary for serious infections.

Does System Restore remove malware?

Do not rely on it as your primary removal method. Use malware scanning and remediation tools.

Should I change passwords after malware?

Yes, if they may have been exposed. Change them from a clean device.

How do I know my PC is clean?

Run follow-up scans and verify that redirects, suspicious programs, security problems, and other symptoms do not return

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